Kirk Herbstreit ranks top 7 teams from college football Week 9
As the college football season continues to hum along, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit is back at it with his list of the top teams from Week 9. There were several candidates to choose from, but he narrowed it down to only seven.
Texas A&M led off the list after a 38-23 victory against LSU on Saturday to claim the No. 1 spot in the SEC standings. The Aggies are now the only team that has yet to lose a game in conference play and in position to make their first College Football Playoff in program history.
Surprisingly, it was a pair of Group of 5 schools that followed A&M as Tulsa and Kennesaw State claimed the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Both teams won their first conference game of the season in exciting fashion to earn their place on the list.
You can view the full list of Kirk Herbstreit’s top team from Week 9 of college football below.
1. Texas A&M Aggies
A&M got bold in the second half, replacing quarterback Conner Weigman with backup Marcel Reed as it trailed 17-7. Reed would go on to score three rushing touchdowns as he ran for 62 yards and threw for another 70 to lead his team to the come-from-behind win.
Reed has already started a couple of games this year while Weigman was injured and it’s safe to assume the job is his permanently after that performance. The Aggies are now in the driver’s seat to compete for an SEC Championship with just three conference games remaining on their schedule.
2. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
The Golden Hurricane drove 92 yards downfield Saturday as Cooper Legas found Kamdyn Benjamin for the go-ahead touchdown against UTSA with 1:01 remaining. The defense then forced a turnover on down on the ensuing drive to win the game.
It was all part of a 28-point comeback in the second half as Legas entered the game in place of starter Kirk Francis. He would go on to finish the game 16-of-31 passing for 333 yards and five touchdowns as the Golden Hurricane improved to 3-5 (1-3 AAC).
3. Kennesaw State Owls
Kennesaw State won its first game as an FBS program in dramatic fashion this weekend as it snapped a 17-game winning streak for Liberty. The Owls kicked a field goal with 4:13 remaining to make it a two-possession game before giving up a late touchdown as they escaped with a 27-24 win.
ESPN reported that it was the first time in 23 seasons that an 0-5 or worse team beat a 5-0 or better team. Quarterback Davis Bryson finished the game 16-of-20 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown in addition to 20 yards rushing.
4. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is off to its best start in 57 years as the Hoosiers improved to 8-0 with a 31-17 win against Washington this weekend. With starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke sidelined due to injury, Tayven Jackson stepped in to score two total touchdowns as he threw for 124 yards and a touchdown.
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It was running back Justice Ellison who to the lead for the offense, however, to finish with 123 yards rushing and a touchdown. The Hoosiers have given fans no choice but to add them to the College Football Playoff discussion at this point in the inaugural season of coach Curt Cignetti.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Coming off of its second loss in the past three games, Alabama responded with a resounding 34-0 shutout win against Missouri on Saturday. The Crimson Tide defense forced three interceptions from Tigers backup QB Drew Pyne after starter Brady Cook went down with injury.
Alabama leaned on the run as it totaled 271 yards rushing and scored all four of its touchdowns on the ground. Saturday’s game was a good sign after the past few weeks, but the Crimson Tide will still likely need to win out to have any hope of making the College Football Playoff.
6. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh stayed unbeaten this past week as it rolled to a 41-13 win against Syracuse. The Panthers led 31-0 at halftime as the outcome was never in question.
Unfortunately, they saw quarterback Eli Holstein go down with injury and his status is in doubt for next week’s bout with SMU. That game is a big one in terms of the ACC race as the Mustangs are one of four remaining teams who have yet to lose a conference game along with the Panthers.
7. Washington State Cougars
The Cougars come in as the final team on Kirk Herbstreit’s list of top teams from Week 9. Washington State scored 15 straight points to end the game and earn a 29-26 victory against San Diego State this weekend.
Quarterback John Mateer led the rally as he finished with four total touchdowns in addition to 257 yards passing. The Cougars improved to 7-1 on the year and will look to finish out strong as one of the two Pac-12 teams left behind in the wake of conference realignment.